NEWS

After a poor performance in last year’s assembly election in Bihar, the ruling JD (U) on Monday embarked on a mission to leverage Brand Nitish on the chief minister’s 70th birthday to rebuild the party.

The party organised programmes at every village across the state as Vikas Diwas to highlight the development work done under Nitish Kumar in the last 15 years.

This is the first time that Kumar’s birthday has been celebrated in such a big way by the JD (U).

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the past week, the Maharashtra government extended the lockdown in Amravati and Achalpur till March 8. 

Maharashtra Chief Minister on Sunday (February 28) expressed his disinterest in imposing another lockdown in the state. CM Uddhav Thackeray said, "I do not want to impose it but 'majboori' (helplessness) is also something," while addressing the press. 

The CM assured the people that he is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the state and urged everyone to properly follow the guidelines. 

Election strategist Prashant Kishor, who has helped propel several politicians to election victories, will now work with Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh. On Monday, Singh took to Twitter to announce that Kishor has joined him as his Principal Advisor, nearly 12 months before the northern state goes to polls.

“Happy to share that @PrashantKishor has joined me as my Principal Advisor. Look forward to working together for the betterment of the people of Punjab!” Singh tweeted on Monday.

Confirming the appointment, the Government of Punjab posted in Twitter: “Punjab Cabinet clears the appointment of Shri @PrashantKishor as Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister @capt_amarinder Singh in the rank and status of a Cabinet Minister.”

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Vishwajeet Kadam's wife Swapnali Kadam in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case. Swapnali Kadam is the daughter of Pune businessman Avinash Bhosle.

Swapnali is being probed by the ED in connection with a case against Avinash Bhosle. She arrived at the ED office in Mumbai on Monday morning.

ED officials, last month, conducted raids at offices and residence of Bhosle in Pune and few other places in connection with a money laundering case registered against him.